Jada Pinkett-Smith, a pivotal figure at the 2022 Oscars, found herself in the spotlight when comedian Chris Rock cracked a joke about her alopecia. This led to an unexpected reaction from her husband, Will Smith, who stormed the stage and slapped Rock, exclaiming, “Get my wife’s name out your mouth.”
The incident left Pinkett-Smith taken aback, not just because of the public confrontation, but also due to Smith’s reference to her as his wife.
In a candid interview with Hoda Kobt on NBC News, Pinkett-Smith shared her thoughts on the shocking moment. “First of all, I’m really shocked, because mind you, I’m not there. We haven’t called each other husband and wife in a long time,” she expressed. “I’m like, ‘What is going on right now? Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth?’ I’m really worried for Will because I don’t know what’s going on.”
Pinkett-Smith is set to release a revealing memoir later this year, titled “Worthy,” where she delves into her life journey and her complex marriage to Will Smith. Despite being legally married, the couple has been living separately since 2016. Pinkett-Smith clarifies that while it may not be a divorce in legal terms, it certainly feels like one, given their separate lives and lack of a romantic relationship.
“I made a promise that there will never be a reason for us to get a divorce. We will work through … whatever,” Pinkett-Smith stated. “I just haven’t been able to break that promise.”
According to Dey Street Books, the publisher of Pinkett-Smith’s memoir, the book is a deep dive into various aspects of her life. It’s described as a “rollercoaster ride from the depths of suicidal depression to the heights of personal rediscovery and the celebration of authentic feminine power.”